Josh Taylor vs Jack Catterall LIVE: Fight updates and undercard results as ‘justice’ is served
Re-live one of the most-anticipated rematches in recent memory, as Catterall overcame his rival in Leeds
Jack Catterall banished the shadow of his controversial loss to Josh Taylor by defeating the Scot in a thriller on Saturday.
Over two years after Taylor won a hotly-contested decision against the Englishman in Glasgow, Catterall outboxed a determined Taylor to gain “justice” – as promoter Eddie Hearn described the result.
Catterall avenged the sole loss of his professional career by winning 117-111, 117-111, 116-113 in Leeds. Hearn did suggest that the scorecards were “too wide”, while fellow promoter Bob Arum grabbed a microphone to declare the scores a “disgrace”, but most observers agreed that Catterall was the right winner.
While the rivals’ first clash was a scrappy affair, their rematch produced numerous moments of great quality. Taylor pressed forward throughout, while Catterall fought well behind his jab and put together a number of impressive flurries. Catterall started to pull away as the fight entered its second half, and although a resilient Taylor arrested some momentum, his fellow southpaw produced more crucial moments of quality late on.
Re-live Taylor vs Catterall 2 and see all the fallout, below:
Josh Taylor vs Jack Catterall LIVE: Scorecards
Taylor: “I thought it was a great fight. Fair play to Jack, he boxed a better fight today. I thought I just nicked it. It was a close fight. If he wants to go on to bigger fights, he deserves it, he won. But that’s 1-1, let’s do a trilogy.”
Josh Taylor vs Jack Catterall LIVE: Scorecards
Catterall’s manager Sam Jones: “Heart palpitations. It’s not good for your health.
“Josh put on a fantastic performance, he was hurt several times.
“I thought the scores were a little too wide, but Jack was a rightful winner.”
Catterall’s fiancee Lauren: “So proud, he was amazing. Brilliant night, so happy it’s done.”
Their wedding is 10 days away.
Catterall: “Feeling good, it’s a weird feeling, it’s bittersweet. I thought I won two years ago.
“Josh is a tough competitor, but we move on. A bit of downtime, then we get married next week.
“I’ll have to watch it back, I felt in control, I still felt I won the rounds that I took off. I felt I won the fight clearly.”
Josh Taylor vs Jack Catterall LIVE: Scorecards
Hearn: “I think the judges’ scorecards were too wide, but the right man won. Listen, I love Scotland, but justice was served tonight.
“But he should have the belts around his waist.
“That was a tremendous battle. Jack boxed beautifully at times.
“He deserves to be world champion, that’s got to be the focus, I’d love to see this guy challenge for – and rightfully win – a world title.”
Bob Arum gets on the mic and says the scorecards are an “absolute disgrace”. This is embarrassing from the American.
Taylor: “Fair play to Jack, he won the fight. Let’s do the third one.”
Josh Taylor vs Jack Catterall LIVE: Scorecards
Catterall: “It’s bittersweet tonight. No world titles, [but] I won the fight. We can close that chapter with Josh Taylor.
“Listen, I believe I won the fight, I took more risks this time. Josh is an elite operator.
“I boxed smart. Even in the second half of the fight, the rounds when I was more reserved, I was controlling the pace.
“It was a fight of two halves, but I still believe: The rounds that I won, I won clearly.
“None of it’s personal, we’ve shared 24 rounds together now, so respect to Josh.”
Josh Taylor vs Jack Catterall LIVE: Scorecards
Indy Sport has it 116-112 in Catterall’s favour. 115-113 would be reasonable, too...
Jack Catterall def. Josh Taylor via unanimous decision (117-111, 117-111, 116-113)
Justice for Catterall after the controversial first fight? I’d say so.
Josh Taylor vs Jack Catterall LIVE: Main event
Round 12
The crowd is on its feet. Taylor and Catterall touch gloves in respect. Nice jabs by Catterall.
Taylor steps in with a lead hook, but Catterall blocks most of it. Taylor steps in with a jab, but he’s tagged on the way in.
Taylor is chasing Catterall but not landing much of note. Decent uppercut to the body by the Scot now, however.
Catterall with a great flurry now! He has Taylor covering up to the body. Snapping jabs upstairs now, as Taylor’s head is rocked back.
Nice uppercut by Taylor! Brilliant counter combination by Catterall! He does that so well, with such pace.
Spearing jabs by Taylor. Both men land a few shots each before the bell!
Another very entertaining round, but Catterall surely did enough in that round – and in the fight overall. Taylor is held aloft by one of his teammates, which Catterall scoffs at...
Indy Sport score: Taylor 9-10 Catterall
Josh Taylor vs Jack Catterall LIVE: Main event
Round 11
Into the final two rounds. Taylor walks onto a jab. A right hook just about lands for Taylor, and another.
Great combination from Taylor, who sneaks in an uppercut to the body and a hook to the head.
The referee warns both fighters again. OH!! Taylor walks onto a huge left hook! And Catterall lands another!
Taylor holds, and the pair tumble to the mat together, just as in their first fight!
They’re back up, and there’s one minute left... Another hard left hand by Catterall!! He beckons Taylor on!
Taylor was winning that round well, but Catterall stole it with those damaging moments!
Indy Sport score: Taylor 9-10 Catterall
Josh Taylor vs Jack Catterall LIVE: Main event
Round 10
Referee Kevin Parker warns both fighters at the start of this frame. There have been a few clashes of heads so far.
Taylor starts aggressively, but Catterall gets back to his jab to maintain some momentum. A clinch ensues, and Taylor is the busier fighter at close range.
Taylor steps in with a solid body jab. A short one-two just about lands for Taylor. Cross is on point for Catterall.
Taylor with a pair of nice jabs, then Catterall responds in kind. Taylor attacks the body then the head. He’s backing up Catterall.
A VERY close round.
Indy Sport score: Taylor 10-9 Catterall
Josh Taylor vs Jack Catterall LIVE: Main event
Round nine
We have Catterall 5-3 up, but you could make an argument for 4-4.
Brilliant series of jabs by Catterall to start this round. He lands about five in a row. Mean cross by Taylor, and Catterall fires back then holds.
Oh! Catterall with more jabs and a pair of brutal crosses, right on the jaw of Taylor!
Taylor is the one slowing down slightly now... until he lands a hook to the body then some teasing jabs upstairs.
More good work from Taylor, but again Catterall scores with a sequence of straight punches – jabs and crosses, as Taylor’s defence deserts him.
Taylor backs up Catterall, who is content to hold for a while. A heavy cluster of shots from Catterall in the final seconds!
Indy Sport score: Taylor 9-10 Catterall
Josh Taylor vs Jack Catterall LIVE: Main event
Round eight
This is a much better fight than the first clash already. Cleaner work from both men.
Both boxers land numerous clean punches in a brutal start to this eighth frame. It’s tit for tat, but Taylor is just landing with a bit more frequency...
He skims a right hook off Catterall’s head, but the Englishman replies quickly. Stern jab by Taylor, then a right hook.
Catterall looks to be tiring somewhat. He can’t get Taylor off him. Catterall does land a great uppercut, but Taylor is unfazed and scores right after!
Very nice flurry from Catterall, and both men land again! What a round! Taylor is coming on strong, it seems... The rivals touch gloves on the bell.
Indy Sport score: Taylor 10-9 Catterall
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